French Beauty Brand Founder Terry de Gunzburg Embraces Life and Business in Israel

Terry de Gunzburg, the French founder of the luxury cosmetics brand By Terry and the creator of Yves Saint Laurent's iconic Touche Éclat highlighter, has been living intermittently in Israel for several years. She and her husband made aliyah five years ago, building a home in Herzliya with a sea view, which she describes as a dream come true. Despite global tensions and recent conflicts, including the events of October 7, she feels safer in Israel than anywhere else and continues to celebrate holidays with her large family there.

Born in Egypt and raised partly in Israel until age seven, de Gunzburg’s family fled Cairo in 1957 due to political upheaval. She initially pursued medical studies but shifted to makeup artistry after intensive training in Paris. Her breakthrough came when she began working with Yves Saint Laurent in 1985, revolutionizing their beauty line by creating sophisticated formulas and iconic products like the first-ever primer and highlighter.

In 1998, after Yves Saint Laurent’s retirement, she launched her own brand, By Terry, focusing on high-end, personalized makeup and skincare. The brand is now entering the Israeli market through Factory 54 Beauty stores and online. De Gunzburg emphasizes that her products are designed for all women, not just celebrities, aiming to reveal each woman’s natural beauty.

She continues to innovate with unique textures and formulas, including a recently launched matcha-infused serum-cream-balm spray and a bestselling hyaluronic acid powder. De Gunzburg is committed to expanding her business throughout the Middle East, viewing Israel as her primary home base while traveling regularly to Paris and London for work. She expresses pride in living in Israel and confidence in the brand’s success there, despite initial skepticism from her team about the market size.

De Gunzburg also shares personal insights, highlighting the importance of inner beauty, daily skincare routines, and her signature red lipstick, which symbolizes luck and confidence. She balances life between homes in Israel, Paris, London, and New York, embracing the dynamic lifestyle that keeps her inspired and engaged.